Last year, I interacted with a person at least once every other day, but I knew his name long before he knew mine. In fact, it took him almost the whole year to learn my name, and he learned it eventually only because of a mutual friend. Now, he says since we are friends, he “has a reason to know it,” but was I, a person he often interacted with, not a good enough reason alone to learn my name?

I am an outgoing and friendly person; however, I will admit it can take me awhile to learn names. That being said, I always try my best to remember who people are. I do this because I feel appreciated when someone I don’t know that well cares enough to address me by name.

For example, when I worked at a retail store, someone,  with whom I now share a class but had never talked to before, said hello to me by addressing me by name. I was stunned because I had no clue she knew who I was, but it felt nice to know that people know who I am.

It is easy to feel forgotten in a school of 5,600. Making an effort to get to know someone can really make their day. Next time you come face-to-face with someone you don’t know, take the time to get to know them. Who knows, they could become your new best friend.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Emily Carlisle at [email protected].